NovaBay gets patents in Australia, NZ, Japan for Aganocide compounds

01 Jun 2012, BioSpectrum Bureau , BioSpectrum

Singapore: NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class non-antibiotic, anti-infective products for the treatment and prevention of topical infections, received three new composition of matter patent issuances in Australia, New Zealand and Mexico and four notices of allowance in Canada, Japan, South Africa and Mexico on its proprietary Aganocide compounds, which also includes its lead compound, NVC-422.

NVC-422 is a broad-spectrum anti-bacterial, anti-viral compound with a novel mechanism of action to address the unmet medical needs in several large markets. Different topical formulations of NVC-422 are in mid-to-late-stage clinical development in ophthalmology, dermatology and urology. These newly issued patents will give composition-of-matter exclusivity for NVC-422 until August 2024 in Australia, New Zealand and Mexico. In addition, the Canadian and Japanese patent offices have given notices of allowance for the corresponding patent applications in those countries. NVC-422 is already covered in the US by patent numbers 7,462,361 and 7,893,109 providing protection until 2026 in the US.

In addition to NVC-422, these patents cover additional Aganocide compounds. These compounds have unique physicochemical properties and form the basis for a pipeline of non-antibiotic anti-infective compounds to treat topical infections.

Dr Ron Najafi, CEO, NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, sais that, "These seven new patents add to a portfolio of composition of matter patents already granted in the US. They not only validate the innovative nature of our science but also enable us to develop what we believe will be a powerful tool in the fight against highly drug-resistant infections. NVC-422 is now protected by its patents in the US until 2026 and 2024 elsewhere and can address major segments of the $100 billion global market for anti-infectives."